A woman in Stevenson Ranch, California, narrowly escaped a severe outcome after being bitten by a rattlesnake while tending to her garden. Linda Martin was in her yard with bare legs and no shoes when the venomous snake struck her toes. She reported hearing no rattle before the attack.
"I went and lifted the bush, and that’s when I saw the rattler," Martin told CBS News. Immediately after the bite, Martin began experiencing symptoms, including tingling in her fingertips that progressed to her jaw, cheeks, and tongue within 30 to 45 seconds. Her attempts to call 911 were unsuccessful due to a failed cell signal, adding to her distress.
Assisted by her husband, Martin was driven to the hospital, where she received antivenom approximately 10 minutes after the incident. Martin's experience underscores a concerning trend of increasing rattlesnake bites in California. Lee Cantrell, a director at the California Poison Control System, stated that the state is on pace to exceed last year's numbers. "Last year, we had a little over 400 calls about rattlesnake bites," he said. "And so far, in the first six months of 2026, we’ve had 250 calls." This trajectory suggests a potential 20% increase in rattlesnake bites for the current year, with three fatalities already reported in California from venomous snakebites in 2026.
Cantrell suggested that warmer early spring temperatures may have led to rattlesnakes emerging from hibernation earlier than usual, contributing to the rise in encounters. Martin, reflecting on the ordeal, emphasized the need for increased caution when engaging in outdoor activities, stating she would now wear boots while gardening. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by wildlife, even in residential areas.